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Keleman N, Krasnik R, Mikov A, Dragičević-Cvjetković D. Outcome of early rehabilitation of patients with traumatic brain injury during COVID-19 pandemic in The Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1269564. [PMID: 37840938 PMCID: PMC10569459 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1269564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a tremendous burden on the healthcare system. Patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) have to get fast track treatment which is independent of environmental conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate epidemiological and clinical outcomes of early rehabilitation and compare it with the literature data during the non-COVID-19 period. Materials and methods A retrospective study included 174 patients with TBI, average 57 ± 19.08 years. They all underwent treatment in the University Clinical Center, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina during the period January-December 2021. We have analyzed the epidemiological data and clinical course in 174 patients as well as the outcome of early rehabilitation in 107 patients. In clinical evaluation were used: Glasgow Coma Score (GCS), Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and Barthel Index on admission and at discharge, as well as Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at discharge. ANOVA, SPANOVA, Student t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient were used in statistical analysis. The value (p < 0.05) was used for statistical significance. Results A total of 174 patients with TBI were included in this study. Most of the patients (n = 94) were older than 60, male (n = 125) and the most frequent cause of TBI was falling over (n = 88). About a half (n = 92) had a mild TBI, almost one third of the sample had moderate (n = 52), while only 30 patients had severe TBI. Total of 139 (80.3%) patients had the improved outcome, the worsening was registered in 2 (1.2%), while the fatal outcome was reported with 33 (18.5%) patients. When comparing the scores on admission and at discharge, the improvement of mean parameter values was reported for GCS (9.9 vs. 14.1), for Barthel Index (57.25 vs. 86.85), and for FIM (67.35 vs. 105.15), (p < 0.001). A complete recovery at discharge was found in 63.79%, a mild deficit in 8.62%, while serious deficit was found with 6.32%, and vegetative state with 2.29% patients. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant effect on the epidemiological data but not on the clinical outcome of patients with TBI. Early rehabilitation proved to be effective and to contribute to positive treatment outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataša Keleman
- Clinical Rehabilitation Service, University Clinical Center of the Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, The Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Rastislava Krasnik
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
- Clinic for Children Habilitation and Rehabilitation, Institute for Children and Youth Health Care of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Mikov
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
- Clinic for Children Habilitation and Rehabilitation, Institute for Children and Youth Health Care of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Dragana Dragičević-Cvjetković
- Department of Medical Rehabilitation and Balneoclimatology, Institute for Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation and Orthopedic Surgery “Dr Miroslav Zotović”, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, The Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Lintas K, Rohde S, Ellrichmann G, El-Hamalawi B, Sarge R, Müller O. Subarachnoid hemorrhages and aneurysms during the SARS-CoV2-pandemia at a tertiary medical center - Analysis of incidence and outcome. BRAIN & SPINE 2023; 3:101757. [PMID: 37220490 PMCID: PMC10172152 DOI: 10.1016/j.bas.2023.101757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Introduction During the COVID-19-pandemic a significant decrease of up to 13% of all kinds of medical emergencies was reported. Similar trends were expected for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhages (aSAH) and/or symptomatic aneurysms. Research question To analyze a correlation of the SARS-CoV2-infection and the incidence of aSAH, and to assess the impact of the pandemic-lockdown on the incidence, the outcome and the course of patients suffering from aSAH and/or aneurysms. Material and methods From March 16th, 2020 (first lockdown in Germany) to January 31st, 2021, all patients admitted to our hospital were screened by polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) test for genetic material of SARS-CoV2. During this period, aSAH and symptomatic cerebral aneurysms were assessed and retrospectively compared to a historic longitudinal case-cohort. Results Of 109.927 PCR-tests, 7.856 (7.15%) revealed a SARS-CoV2-infection. None of the patients mentioned above were tested positively. The number of aSAH and symptomatic aneurysms rose by 20.5% (39 vs. 47 cases) (p = 0.93). Poor grade aSAH, as well as extensive bleeding-patterns were more often observed (p = 0.63 and p = 0.40, respectively), with more symptomatic vasospasms diagnosed (5 vs. 9 patients). Mortality rate increased by 8,4%. Discussion and conclusion A correlation between SARS-CoV2-infection and the incidence of aSAH could not be established. Still, the overall number and the number of poor-grade aSAHs increased as well as symptomatic aneurysms during the pandemic. Therefore, we might conclude that dedicated neurovascular competence should be retained in designated centers to care for these patients even or especially in special situations affecting the global healthcare system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefan Rohde
- Radiological and Neuroradiological Department, Dortmund Hospital, Germany
| | | | | | - Robert Sarge
- Neurosurgical Department, Dortmund Hospital, Germany
| | - Oliver Müller
- Neurosurgical Department, Dortmund Hospital, Germany
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Jäntti S, Ponkilainen V, Kuitunen I, Uimonen M, Luoto T, Mattila VM. Trends in Emergency Department Visits and Surgeries due to Traumatic Brain Injury During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Finland. SN COMPREHENSIVE CLINICAL MEDICINE 2023; 5:103. [PMID: 36937205 PMCID: PMC10012295 DOI: 10.1007/s42399-023-01437-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
We aim to evaluate the changes in the incidence of TBI, trauma craniotomies, and craniectomies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Finland. This retrospective register study was conducted at three Finnish hospitals. We retrieved the numbers of emergency department (ED) visits, inpatient admissions, and trauma craniotomies and craniectomies due to TBI in the adult population from 2017 to 2020.We calculated the incidences per 100 000 inhabitants and compared the year 2020 to the reference years (2017-2019) by incidence rate ratios (IRR) with 95% confidence intervals. The incidence of TBI-related ED visits during the study period compared to the reference years started to decrease in March 2020 (IRR 0.86, CI: 0.73-1.02), and the lowest incidence was seen in April 2020 (IRR 0.83, CI: 0.68-1.01). The incidence of ED visits showed a second decrease in December (IRR 0.80, CI: 0.67-0.96). The incidence of concussion decreased during the national lockdown in March (IRR 0.80, CI 0.66-0.97). The incidence of ED visits due to TBI decreased after the declaration of national lockdown in spring 2020 and showed a second decrease during regional restrictions in December. In addition, the incidence of neurosurgically treated TBI decreased during restaurant restrictions in the spring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saara Jäntti
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Kauppi Campus, Arvo Ylpön Katu 34, 33520 Tampere, Finland
| | - Ville Ponkilainen
- Department of Surgery, Central Finland Hospital Nova, Hoitajantie 3, 40620 Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Ilari Kuitunen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
- Department of Pediatrics, Mikkeli Central Hospital, Porrassalmenkatu 35-37, 50100 Mikkeli, Finland
| | - Mikko Uimonen
- Department of Surgery, Central Finland Hospital Nova, Hoitajantie 3, 40620 Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Teemu Luoto
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Kauppi Campus, Arvo Ylpön Katu 34, 33520 Tampere, Finland
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tampere University Hospital, PL 2000, 33521 Tampere, Finland
| | - Ville M. Mattila
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Kauppi Campus, Arvo Ylpön Katu 34, 33520 Tampere, Finland
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Tampere University Hospital, Teiskontie 35, PL 2000, 33521 Tampere, Finland
- Coxa Joint Replacement Hospital, Niveltie 4, 33520 Tampere, Finland
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Laufer K, Petek K, Rakusa S, Rakusa M, Rakusa M, Cretnik A. Traumatic Brain Injury during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemics in Slovenia: A Single Center Study. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11237017. [PMID: 36498592 PMCID: PMC9735714 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11237017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic had a significant impact on the management of traumatic brain injury (TBI). We aimed to compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes of TBI patients before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.; (2) Methods: We analyzed depicted data from existing medical records on sex, age, mechanism of injury, clinical performance at admission and discharge, neuroimaging, laboratory values at admission, mortality, duration of hospitalization, and referrals after discharge from the traumatology department for all adult patients during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and a year before. Variables were compared using the Chi-square or t-test between both groups.; (3) Results: Most patients had mild (n = 477), followed by moderate (11) and severe (11) TBI. Mild TBI was less frequent during the SARS-CoV-2 period (n = 174 vs. n = 303). The incidence of high falls increased during the SARS-CoV-2 period (14.5% vs. 24.7%; p < 0.05) in the group with mild TBI. Patients had similar mean Glasgow Coma Scales (GCS), Glasgow Outcome Scales-Extended (GOSE), and glucose levels at admission before and during the pandemic. Serum ethanol levels were significantly lower during the SARS-CoV-2 period (1.3 ± 0.7 mmol/L vs. 0.7 ± 1.2 mmol/L; p < 0.001). At discharge, the mean GCS was significantly lower (14.7 ± 1.8 vs. 14.1 ± 0.5; p < 0.05) for patients treated during the SARS-CoV-2 period than before the SARS-CoV-2 period. There were no differences in GOSE; (4) Conclusions: our results demonstrated a significant impact of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the frequency, mechanism, and consequences of TBI, and may help improve care for our patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Laufer
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Taborska 8, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
- Traumatology Department, Divison of Surgery, University Medical Centre Maribor, Ljubljanska 5, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Karina Petek
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Taborska 8, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
- Division of Neurology, University Medical Centre Maribor, Ljubljanska 5, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Sofia Rakusa
- Division of Neurology, University Medical Centre Maribor, Ljubljanska 5, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Matej Rakusa
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Disease, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Zaloška 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Martin Rakusa
- Division of Neurology, University Medical Centre Maribor, Ljubljanska 5, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
- Correspondence:
| | - Andrej Cretnik
- Traumatology Department, Divison of Surgery, University Medical Centre Maribor, Ljubljanska 5, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
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The Increased Mortality Rate with Lower Incidence of Traumatic Brain Injury during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A National Study. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10101954. [PMID: 36292401 PMCID: PMC9601441 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10101954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: the COVID-19 pandemic with the following lockdown strategies have affected virtually all aspects of everyday life. Health services all over the world faced the crisis on an unprecedented scale, hampering timely care delivery. The present study was designed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the incidence and treatment of traumatic brain injuries in Poland. Methods: the data on hospital admissions with traumatic brain injuries as the primary diagnosis were extracted from the National Health Fund of Poland. For the purpose of this study, the search was limited to four relevant diagnosis-related groups. The overall in-house mortality was calculated. Results: there were 115,200 hospitalizations due to traumatic brain injury identified in the database. Overall, in comparison with the average of six prior years, in 2020 the volume of patients with traumatic brain injury dropped by 24.68% while the in-house mortality rate was increased by 26.75%. Conclusions: the COVID-19 pandemic with the resulting lockdown caused a radical reduction in human mobility. It had a profound impact on the incidence of traumatic brain injury, which dropped significantly. At the same time, the mortality rate increased drastically.
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Weber C, Werner D, Thorsen K, Søreide K. Health Care Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic for Patients with Severe Traumatic Brain Injury-A Nationwide, Observational Cohort Study. World Neurosurg 2022; 165:e452-e456. [PMID: 35728788 PMCID: PMC9212910 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2022.06.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Containment measures during the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have resulted in a substantial reduction in treatment of injury. The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the epidemiology and mortality of severe traumatic brain injury on a national, population-based level is unknown. METHODS Data on all patients with severe traumatic brain injury between 2017 and 2020 were retrieved from the National Trauma Registry of Norway. The study cohort was derived from the pandemic period (March 12 to December 31, 2020) and the control cohort from the prepandemic years 2017 to 2019. The outcome measures were 30-day mortality, in-hospital mortality, and discharge destination. RESULTS This study included 522 trauma patients with severe traumatic brain injury, 387 (74.1%) in the prepandemic and 135 (25.9%) in the pandemic period. Length of stay increased significantly during the pandemic period (4 vs. 3 days; P = 0.014). The 30-day mortality rate was 39% (n = 149) in the prepandemic versus 38% (n = 52) pandemic period (P = 0.998). In-hospital mortality was 33% (n = 128) in the prepandemic versus 33% (n = 44) in the pandemic period (P = 0.920). There were no statistically significant differences in discharge destination besides the number of patients discharged to home in the pandemic period (P = 0.003). When adjusted for clinical relevant factors such as age, gender, and head injury severity, the mortality outcomes did not change during the pandemic period. CONCLUSIONS The containment and lockdown measures during the COVID-19 pandemic in Norway did not affect the number of patients or mortality of patients with severe traumatic brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemens Weber
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway,Department of Quality and Health Technology, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway,To whom correspondence should be addressed: Clemens Weber, M.D., Ph.D
| | - David Werner
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Kenneth Thorsen
- Section for Traumatology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway,Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kjetil Søreide
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Benevides ML, Elias S, Costa PB, Martins ALP, Martins GL, Freitas FC, Nunes JC. Acute ischemic stroke and COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: a comparative study of frequency and risk factors before and during SARS-CoV-2 era. Neurol Sci 2022; 43:4611-4617. [PMID: 35141804 PMCID: PMC9360333 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-022-05873-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background
COVID-19 pandemic directly impacted the request for hospital care and medical assistance for several diseases worldwide, as occurred with acute ischemic stroke. The present study sought to compare the incidence and severity of acute ischemic stroke (AIS), in addition to sociodemographic, clinical, and radiological characteristics of patients hospitalized in the prepandemic (2018–2019) and pandemic (2020–2021) eras. Methods An incidence case–control, observational, and analytical research was carried out in the Stroke Unit of Hospital Governador Celso Ramos, Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil, including 171 patients admitted with acute ischemic stroke from April 2018 to April 2019 (prepandemic era) and 148 patients between January 2020 and January 2021 (during pandemic). Results The mean incidence of AIS hospital admissions was significantly lower in the pandemic period (CI 95%, 0.2 to 5.6; p = 0.04), being lower in the lockdown periods and when the incidence of new COVID-19 cases increased. Besides, referring to AIS severity, the mean areas of AIS were larger during the pandemic period (p < 0.01), especially in August, September, December, and January (p < 0.05). Sociodemographic and clinical variables did not show any difference between the two periods of the study. Conclusions Hospital admissions for AIS decreased in the COVID-19 pandemic, mostly during months of higher incidences of new COVID-19 cases. When the incidence of admissions diminished, an increase in the severity of AIS was observed, characterized by larger areas. These findings might contribute to other similar referral centers in managing public policies related to stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Luiza Benevides
- Neurology Department, Hospital Governador Celso Ramos (HGCR), Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
- Neuropediatrics Department, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Stefany Elias
- Universidade Do Sul de Santa Catarina (UNISUL), Palhoça, SC, Brazil
| | - Pedro Búrigo Costa
- Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Regional de São José Doutor Homero de Miranda Gomes, São José, SC, Brazil
| | | | - Gladys Lentz Martins
- Neurology Department, Hospital Governador Celso Ramos (HGCR), Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Fernando Cini Freitas
- Neurology Department, Hospital Governador Celso Ramos (HGCR), Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Jean Costa Nunes
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Polydoro Ernani de São Thiago, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Professora Maria Flora Pausewang Street, Trindade, SC, CEP 88040-000, Florianópolis, Brazil.
- Neurodiagnostic Brasil - Diagnósticos em Neuropatologia, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
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Global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on subarachnoid haemorrhage hospitalisations, aneurysm treatment and in-hospital mortality: 1-year follow-up. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2022; 93:jnnp-2022-329200. [PMID: 35902229 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2022-329200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prior studies indicated a decrease in the incidences of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated differences in the incidence, severity of aSAH presentation, and ruptured aneurysm treatment modality during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the preceding year. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study including 49 countries and 187 centres. We recorded volumes for COVID-19 hospitalisations, aSAH hospitalisations, Hunt-Hess grade, coiling, clipping and aSAH in-hospital mortality. Diagnoses were identified by International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, codes or stroke databases from January 2019 to May 2021. RESULTS Over the study period, there were 16 247 aSAH admissions, 344 491 COVID-19 admissions, 8300 ruptured aneurysm coiling and 4240 ruptured aneurysm clipping procedures. Declines were observed in aSAH admissions (-6.4% (95% CI -7.0% to -5.8%), p=0.0001) during the first year of the pandemic compared with the prior year, most pronounced in high-volume SAH and high-volume COVID-19 hospitals. There was a trend towards a decline in mild and moderate presentations of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) (mild: -5% (95% CI -5.9% to -4.3%), p=0.06; moderate: -8.3% (95% CI -10.2% to -6.7%), p=0.06) but no difference in higher SAH severity. The ruptured aneurysm clipping rate remained unchanged (30.7% vs 31.2%, p=0.58), whereas ruptured aneurysm coiling increased (53.97% vs 56.5%, p=0.009). There was no difference in aSAH in-hospital mortality rate (19.1% vs 20.1%, p=0.12). CONCLUSION During the first year of the pandemic, there was a decrease in aSAH admissions volume, driven by a decrease in mild to moderate presentation of aSAH. There was an increase in the ruptured aneurysm coiling rate but neither change in the ruptured aneurysm clipping rate nor change in aSAH in-hospital mortality. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04934020.
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Lau VI, Dhanoa S, Cheema H, Lewis K, Geeraert P, Lu D, Merrick B, Vander Leek A, Sebastianski M, Kula B, Chaudhuri D, Agarwal A, Niven DJ, Fiest KM, Stelfox HT, Zuege DJ, Rewa OG, Bagshaw SM. Non-COVID outcomes associated with the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic effects study (COPES): A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0269871. [PMID: 35749400 PMCID: PMC9231780 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues, healthcare providers struggle to manage both COVID-19 and non-COVID patients while still providing high-quality care. We conducted a systematic review/meta-analysis to describe the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with non-COVID illness and on healthcare systems compared to non-pandemic epochs. METHODS We searched Ovid MEDLINE/EMBASE/Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews/CENTRAL/CINAHL (inception to December 31, 2020). All study types with COVID-pandemic time period (after December 31, 2019) with comparative non-pandemic time periods (prior to December 31, 2019). Data regarding study characteristics/case-mix/interventions/comparators/ outcomes (primary: mortality; secondary: morbidity/hospitalizations/disruptions-to-care. Paired reviewers conducted screening and abstraction, with conflicts resolved by discussion. Effect sizes for specific therapies were pooled using random-effects models. Risk of bias was assessed by Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, with evidence rating using GRADE methodology. RESULTS Of 11,581 citations, 167 studies met eligibility. Our meta-analysis showed an increased mortality of 16% during the COVID pandemic for non-COVID illness compared with 11% mortality during the pre-pandemic period (RR 1.38, 95% CI: 1.28-1.50; absolute risk difference: 5% [95% CI: 4-6%], p<0.00001, very low certainty evidence). Twenty-eight studies (17%) reported significant changes in morbidity (where 93% reported increases), while 30 studies (18%) reported no significant change (very low certainty). Thirty-nine studies (23%) reported significant changes in hospitalizations (97% reporting decreases), while 111 studies (66%) reported no significant change (very low certainty). Sixty-two studies (37%) reported significant disruptions in standards-to-care (73% reporting increases), while 62 studies (37%) reported no significant change (very low certainty). CONCLUSIONS There was a significant increase in mortality during the COVID pandemic compared to pre-pandemic times for non-COVID illnesses. When significant changes were reported, there was increased morbidity, decreased hospitalizations and increased disruptions in standards-of-care. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42020201256 (Sept 2, 2020).
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Issac Lau
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, and Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sumeet Dhanoa
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, and Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Harleen Cheema
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, and Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kimberley Lewis
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence & Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Patrick Geeraert
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, and Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - David Lu
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, and Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Benjamin Merrick
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, and Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Aaron Vander Leek
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, and Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Meghan Sebastianski
- Alberta Strategy for Patient-Orientated Research Knowledge Translation Platform, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Brittany Kula
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, and Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Dipayan Chaudhuri
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence & Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Arnav Agarwal
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence & Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, General Internal Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Daniel J Niven
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, and Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Critical Care Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kirsten M Fiest
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, and Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Critical Care Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Henry T Stelfox
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, and Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Critical Care Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- O'Brien Institute of Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Danny J Zuege
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, and Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Critical Care Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Oleksa G Rewa
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, and Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Critical Care Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sean M Bagshaw
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, and Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Critical Care Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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de Souza Maciel Ferreira JE, Rocha de Oliveira L, Galvão Pereira K, Marques Frota N, Frota Cavalcante T, Santos Monte A, Lopes Chaves AF. Estratégias organizacionais no centro cirúrgico diante da pandemia de COVID 19: uma revisão integrativa. REVISTA CUIDARTE 2022. [DOI: 10.15649/cuidarte.2323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introdução: os sistemas de saúde foram desafiados a desenvolver estratégias organizacionais para a prestação de cuidados cirúrgicos. Objetivo: apresentar as estratégias dos serviços de saúde no que se refere às práticas de cuidados cirúrgicos em tempos de pandemia de COVID-19. Materiais e métodos: revisão integrativa, desenvolvida em seis etapas, cuja busca dos artigos ocorreu na Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde, SciELO, PubMed e ScienceDirect. Os descritores controlados em saúde adotados foram “Centros Cirúrgicos” e “Infecções por Coronavírus”, de acordo com os sistemas DeCS e MeSH Terms. Foram selecionados 60 artigos de 405 estudos encontrados. Resultados: as principais estratégias utilizadas pelos serviços de saúde foram: a suspensão e adiamento de cirurgias eletivas durante as ondas de contágio da doença; e a triagem cuidadosa dos pacientes para COVID-19 antes e após intervenções cirúrgicas. Discussão: a suspensão e o adiamento de cirurgias eletivas devem ser avaliados com cautela pela equipe de saúde, de forma individualizada, para cada paciente, visto que situações clínicas não urgentes podem agravar ao longo do tempo, aumentando as chances de morbimortalidade desses pacientes. Conclusão: a triagem dos pacientes e dos profissionais da saúde para COVID-19 são estratégias importantes para evitar a contaminação desses sujeitos. A suspensão e o adiamento de cirurgias eletivas, durante as ondas de contágio por COVID-19, são recomendados para aumentar a capacidade de leitos disponíveis para pacientes graves hospitalizados por essa doença. Essa recomendação também auxilia no remanejamento de profissionais desse setor para as unidades com a demanda de cuidados de saúde mais elevada.
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Damara FA, Muchamad GR, Anton A, Ramdhani AN, Channel IC, Faried A. Epidemiological Pattern of Traumatic Brain Injury in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. World Neurosurg 2022; 161:e698-e709. [PMID: 35227924 PMCID: PMC8881220 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2022.02.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background Although the incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) has decreased since the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is still evolving, the number of TBI cases has still greatly increased in multiple countries. In the present systematic review and meta-analysis, we evaluated the epidemiological characteristics of patients with TBI before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We conducted a systematic literature search of original studies, short reports, and research letters from databases on studies that contained data about the severity, mortality, presence of neurological deficits, radiological diagnosis, cause of injury, and type of management of TBI during a specified period within the pandemic compared with before the pandemic. Results A total of 18,490 subjects from 13 studies were included in the present study. The results of the meta-analysis showed a higher TBI mortality rate during the COVID-19 pandemic in the low-to-middle income countries (odds ratio, 1.65; 95% confidence interval, 1.12–2.41; P < 0.05; I2 = 40.8%; P = 0.18). The proportion of subdural hemorrhage was decreased, and the proportion of subarachnoid hemorrhage was increased in low- to middle-income and high-income countries, respectively. The proportion of assaults as the cause of TBI had increased during the pandemic (odds ratio, 1.40; 95% confidence interval, 1.06–1.86; P = 0.02; I2 = 20.8%; P = 0.28). We did not find any significant differences in the incidence of surgical intervention for TBI during the pandemic. Conclusions Our results have indicated that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the TBI mortality rate had increased in low- to middle-income countries. The rate of assault as the cause of TBI had also increased during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fachreza Aryo Damara
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran - Dr. Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Galih Ricci Muchamad
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro - Kariadi General Hospital, Semarang, Indonesia
| | - Anton Anton
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran - Dr. Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Alfya Nandika Ramdhani
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran - Dr. Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Ivan Christian Channel
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran - Dr. Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Ahmad Faried
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran - Dr. Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia.
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Ferreira JEDSM, Cavalcante TF, Jansen RC, Damasceno DFO, Oliveira LR, Silva MJN, Rodrigues AP. Challenges for maintaining surgical care practices in the COVID-19 pandemic: an integrative review. INVESTIGACION Y EDUCACION EN ENFERMERIA 2022; 40:e16. [PMID: 35485629 PMCID: PMC9052711 DOI: 10.17533/udea.iee.v40n1e16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To present the knowledge produced on challenges of health services for maintaining surgical care practices in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS This is an integrative literature review, performed with descriptors 'Operating rooms' and 'Coronavirus Infections' in the MEDLINE/PubMed Central, IBECS, LILACS, BDENF, Coleta SUS, BIGG, BINACIS, SciELO, PubMed, Science Direct, and Cochrane Library databases. RESULTS Of the 405 studies analyzed, 27 met the inclusion criteria. The main challenges for surgical services during the pandemic were: (i) rearrangement of general practice in surgical units; (ii) administration and management of resources and elective surgeries; (iii) follow-up and control of preoperative patients to medium term; (iv) maintenance of patients' and health professionals' autonomy and mental health in this context; and (v) teaching health residents in the operating room. CONCLUSIONS For surgical care services, the challenges caused by managing the high demand of patients in need of care resulted in the transfer of own resources to other units and the consequent hiring of professionals to meet the demand for these services due to the damming of postponed elective surgeries. This knowledge will allow us to propose strategies in decision making in this scenario, considering the new waves that may arise from this disease.
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You Y, Niu Y, Sun F, Zhang J, Huang S, Ding P, Wang X. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on haemorrhagic stroke admissions: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e050559. [PMID: 34907050 PMCID: PMC8671851 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE COVID-19 pandemic, a global health crisis, is disrupting the present medical environment. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on stroke hospitalisations, especially haemorrhagic stroke. METHODS The EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, Elsevier, Medline, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar electronic databases were searched for all relevant studies. Two researchers independently screened the studies, extracted data and assessed the quality of the included studies. Odds ratio (OR), total events, OR and 95% CI were considered as the effect size. A fixed-effects model was used to pool the study-specific estimate. The present study was performed by using Review Manager (V.5.3.0) software. We assessed the risk of bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RESULTS A total of 17 studies with 14 445 cases were included. Overall, the number of stroke admissions is lower in the pandemic period versus the control period (6252 vs 8193). The difference of haemorrhagic stroke is significant, with 1233 of 6252 cases in the pandemic group and 1621 of 8193 cases in the control group. Intracerebral haemorrhage is present in 461 of 1948 cases in the pandemic group and 618 of 2734 cases in the control group. As for subarachnoid haemorrhage, the difference between the two groups is significant, with 70 of 985 cases in the pandemic group and 202 of 1493 cases in the control group. CONCLUSIONS The number of stroke admissions is lower in the pandemic period compared with the control period. There is a higher rate of haemorrhagic stroke in the pandemic period. Subgroup analysis identifies a significant increase in the occurrence of intracerebral haemorrhage in the pandemic period. Due to limited data and the impact of a single article, the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on subarachnoid haemorrhage is unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijie You
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Xinhua Hospital Chongming Branch, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunlian Niu
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Xinhua Hospital Chongming Branch, Shanghai, China
| | - Fengbing Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Xinhua Hospital Chongming Branch, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Xinhua Hospital Chongming Branch, Shanghai, China
| | - Sheng Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Xinhua Hospital Chongming Branch, Shanghai, China
| | - Peiyuan Ding
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Xinhua Hospital Chongming Branch, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuhui Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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14
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Falter J, Schebesch KM, Schmidt NO. Declining Numbers of Neurosurgical Emergencies at a German University Medical Center during the Coronavirus Lockdown. J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg 2021; 83:314-320. [PMID: 34897614 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1739225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus pandemic due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is posing unprecedented challenges to health care systems around the globe. Consequently, various lockdown scenarios have been politically imposed to get control over the spread of this disease. We examined the impact of the lockdown situation on the number of neurosurgical emergency patients admitted to our tertiary care center with a catchment area of ∼2.2 million inhabitants in the south of Germany to ensure adequate neurosurgical emergency care during a pandemic lockdown. METHODS All emergency admissions (with consecutive inpatient treatment) to the Department of Neurosurgery at the University Medical Center Regensburg, Germany, between March 1 and May 8 (69 days) of the years 2018, 2019, and 2020 were retrospectively identified and reviewed for this study. Demographic data, diagnoses, urgency of surgery, and duration of the journey to the emergency room were examined. RESULTS Between March 1 and May 8, 2020, 59 emergency patients were neurosurgically treated at our department. Compared with 2018 and 2019, emergency admissions in 2020 had thus declined by 37.2 and 27.1%, respectively. Regarding the year 2020, we found a significant drop from 1.71 and 1.52 emergency patients per day in January and February 2020, respectively, to 0.86 during lockdown (p < 0.001). The decline especially concerned nontraumatic spinal cases and also patients with other neurosurgical diagnoses such as intracranial hemorrhage. Evaluation of the overall disease severity of admitted patients by means of the urgency of surgery showed no difference between the baseline years and the lockdown period. CONCLUSION Our findings are in line with other observational studies of neurosurgical, neurologic, and cardiologic centers in Europe that have described a drop in emergency cases. The reasons for this drop that seems to affect various medical fields and countries across Europe are still unidentified. Morbidity and mortality rates are still unknown, and efforts should be made to facilitate neurosurgical emergency care during a pandemic lockdown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Falter
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Nils Ole Schmidt
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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15
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Al-Kuraishy HM, Al-Gareeb AI, Mostafa-Hedeab G, Kasozi KI, Zirintunda G, Aslam A, Allahyani M, Welburn SC, Batiha GES. Effects of β-Blockers on the Sympathetic and Cytokines Storms in Covid-19. Front Immunol 2021; 12:749291. [PMID: 34867978 PMCID: PMC8637815 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.749291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a causative virus in the development of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. Respiratory manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection such as acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) leads to hypoxia, oxidative stress, and sympatho-activation and in severe cases leads to sympathetic storm (SS). On the other hand, an exaggerated immune response to the SARS-CoV-2 invasion may lead to uncontrolled release of pro-inflammatory cytokine development of cytokine storm (CS). In Covid-19, there are interactive interactions between CS and SS in the development of multi-organ failure (MOF). Interestingly, cutting the bridge between CS and SS by anti-inflammatory and anti-adrenergic agents may mitigate complications that are induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection in severely affected Covid-19 patients. The potential mechanisms of SS in Covid-19 are through different pathways such as hypoxia, which activate the central sympathetic center through carotid bodies chemosensory input and induced pro-inflammatory cytokines, which cross the blood-brain barrier and activation of the sympathetic center. β2-receptors signaling pathway play a crucial role in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, macrophage activation, and B-cells for the production of antibodies with inflammation exacerbation. β-blockers have anti-inflammatory effects through reduction release of pro-inflammatory cytokines with inhibition of NF-κB. In conclusion, β-blockers interrupt this interaction through inhibition of several mediators of CS and SS with prevention development of neural-cytokine loop in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Evidence from this study triggers an idea for future prospective studies to confirm the potential role of β-blockers in the management of Covid-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayder M Al-Kuraishy
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Medicine, College of Medicine, ALmustansiriyia University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Ali Ismail Al-Gareeb
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Medicine, College of Medicine, ALmustansiriyia University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Gomaa Mostafa-Hedeab
- Pharmacology Department, Health Sciences Research Unit, Medical College, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia
| | - Keneth Iceland Kasozi
- Infection Medicine, Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,School of Medicine, Kabale Unviersity, Kabale, Uganda
| | - Gerald Zirintunda
- Department of Animal Production and Management, Faculty of Agriculture and Animal Sciences, Busitema University, Tororo, Uganda
| | - Akhmed Aslam
- Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mamdouh Allahyani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Susan Christina Welburn
- Infection Medicine, Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Haining, China
| | - Gaber El-Saber Batiha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt
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Horan J, Duddy JC, Gilmartin B, Amoo M, Nolan D, Corr P, Husien MB, Bolger C. Neurotrauma admissions and COVID-19: a National Centre experience. Ir J Med Sci 2021; 191:1871-1876. [PMID: 34554384 PMCID: PMC8458045 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-021-02784-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Background To investigate the impact of COVID-19 on trauma admissions to a National Neurosurgical Centre in Ireland. Methods Retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of all trauma admissions to the National Neurosurgical Centre at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, during the period March 1 to May 31, 2019 and 2020. Primary outcome was 30-day mortality rate. Secondary outcomes included time transfer time, time from admission to time of surgery, and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. Patients under the age of 16 were excluded. Results A total of 32 and 39 patients were admitted to the National Neurosurgical Centre following trauma over the 3-month period in 2020 and 2019 respectively, giving a 17.9% reduction in admissions. The 30-day mortality rate increased from 7.7% in 2019 to 15.6% on 2020 (p = 0.45). Mean transfer time was 4 h 58 min in 2019 and 3 h 55 min in 2020 (0.22). Mean time from admission to time of surgery was 9 h 10 min in 2019 and 5 h 37 min in 2020 respectively (p = 0.35). In 2019, 20 patients (51.3%) were admitted to ICU. This increased to 23 patients (69.7%) in 2020 (p = 0.08). Conclusions Traumatic brain injury 30-day mortality rates increased during the first COVID-19 lockdown period. Trauma admission rates to ICU remained unchanged despite an overall reduction in trauma admissions. Transfer time, time to surgery, and length of stay were impacted by COVID-19. Despite the challenges COVID-19 has posed, it is important to maintain a fully functioning neurosurgical and neurocritical care service during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Horan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland.
| | - John C Duddy
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Brian Gilmartin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Michael Amoo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Deirdre Nolan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Paula Corr
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | | | - Ciaran Bolger
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland
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Lester A, Leach P, Zaben M. The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Traumatic Brain Injury Management: Lessons Learned Over the First Year. World Neurosurg 2021; 156:28-32. [PMID: 34530146 PMCID: PMC8435471 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2021.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has had widespread consequences on health care systems around the world. It resulted in extensive changes to the referral patterns, management, and rehabilitation of surgical conditions. We aimed to evaluate the effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had on traumatic brain injury (TBI) specifically. We reviewed the literature published on COVID-19 and TBI referrals, management, and rehabilitation. Significant changes were seen in the referral patterns of TBIs worldwide, explained by changes in societal behaviors and changes in the mechanism of injury. Implementation of strict infection control measures and COVID-19 screening was commonplace, with some reporting changes to operating room protocols. TBI was more likely to be conservatively managed. Rehabilitation services were restricted, with a greater shift towards telemedicine to provide rehabilitative therapy remotely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aled Lester
- School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
| | - Paul Leach
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Malik Zaben
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom; Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, United Kingdom
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18
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Lee MH, Jang SR, Lee TK. Comparative Analysis of COVID-19 Outbreak and Changes in Neurosurgical Emergency Patients. J Korean Neurosurg Soc 2021; 65:130-137. [PMID: 34492750 PMCID: PMC8752897 DOI: 10.3340/jkns.2021.0056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective COVID-19 has spread worldwide since the first case was reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Our institution is a regional trauma and emergency center in the northern Gyeonggi Province. The changing trend of patient care in the emergency room of this hospital likely reflects the overall trend of patients in the area. In the present study, whether changes in the surrounding social environment following the outbreak of COVID-19 changed the incidence of neurosurgical emergency patients and whether differences in practice existed were investigated.
Methods The overall trend was analyzed from January 2020 which is before the outbreak of COVID-19 to September 2020. To remove bias due to seasonal variation, the previous 2 year's records during the same period were reviewed and compared. Confirmed COVID-19 patients in the northern Gyeonggi Province were identified using data released by the government. And patients who came to the emergency department with head trauma and stroke were identified.
Results Based on the present study results, the total number of neurosurgery emergency patients decreased over the study period. In the trauma patient group, the number of patients not involved in traffic accidents significantly decreased compared with patients involved in traffic accidents. Among the stroke cases, the rate of ischemic stroke was lower than hemorrhagic stroke, although a statistically significant difference was not observed. Meanwhile, an increase in the risk of mortality associated with trauma or stroke cases was not observed during the COVID-19 outbreak compared with the same time period in the previous year.
Conclusion Due to the occurrence of COVID-19, non-essential activities have decreased and trauma cases not associated with traffic accidents appeared to decrease. Due to the decrease in overall activity, the number of stroke patients has also decreased. This trend is expected to continue even in the post-COVID-19 era, and accordingly, the results from the present study are relevant especially if the current situation continues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Ho Lee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, School of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seu-Ryang Jang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, School of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Tae-Kyu Lee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, School of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
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Azab MA, Azzam AY, Eraky AM, Sabra M, Hassanein SF. Analyzing outcomes of neurosurgical operations performed before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt. A matched single-center cohort study. INTERDISCIPLINARY NEUROSURGERY-ADVANCED TECHNIQUES AND CASE MANAGEMENT 2021; 26:101369. [PMID: 34485093 PMCID: PMC8409057 DOI: 10.1016/j.inat.2021.101369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Background Since the emergence of the first COVID-19 case in Wuhan, the virus affected several health care systems. Globally, the COVID-19 has a transforming effect on health care provision. Substantial evidence was clear that the global surgical services were impacted. The field of neurosurgery was primarily affected, and most elective surgeries were suspended. There are no current reports from Egypt that describe the mortality outcome of neurosurgical procedures in the context of the pandemic. Methods We performed that study at a large tertiary center in Egypt (Cairo University Hospital). It is a single-center matched cohort study. Results Our results examined about 346 patients earlier during the COVID-19 pandemic. About 46 (13.29%) were unmatched, so we excluded them from the final analysis of the data. About 300 patients' were matched to 304 patients' before the pandemic in 2019. The mortality outcome of neurosurgical interventions was higher during the pandemic. Conclusions Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the mortality outcome of neurosurgical procedures was higher than on regular days at our center. The anesthesia time was prolonged while the operation time was shortened. We strongly suggest further multicenter studies to assess the effect of COVID-19 on neurosurgical mortality and functional outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed A Azab
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cairo University Faculty of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Boise State University, Idaho, USA
| | - Ahmed Y Azzam
- October 6 University Faculty of Medicine, Giza, Egypt
| | - Akram M Eraky
- Department of Neurosurgery, Alexandria University Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Sabra
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI 02903, USA
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Rault F, Terrier L, Leclerc A, Gilard V, Emery E, Derrey S, Briant AR, Gakuba C, Gaberel T. Decreased number of deaths related to severe traumatic brain injury in intensive care unit during the first lockdown in Normandy: at least one positive side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2021; 163:1829-1836. [PMID: 33813617 PMCID: PMC8019477 DOI: 10.1007/s00701-021-04831-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has led to severe containment measures to protect the population in France. The first lockdown modified daily living and could have led to a decrease in the frequency of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). In the present study, we compared the frequency and severity of severe TBI before and during the first containment in Normandy. Methods We included all patients admitted in the intensive care unit (ICU) for severe TBI in the two tertiary neurosurgical trauma centres of Normandy during the first lockdown. The year before the containment served as control. The primary outcome was the number of patients admitted per week in ICU. We compared the demographic characteristics, TBI mechanisms, CT scan, surgical procedure, and mortality rate. Results The incidence of admissions for severe TBI in Normandy decreased by 33% during the containment. The aetiology of TBI significantly changed during the containment: there were less traffic road accidents and more TBI related to alcohol consumption. Patients with severe TBI during the containment had a better prognosis according to the impact score (p=0.04). We observed a significant decrease in the rate of short-term mortality related to severe TBI during the period of lockdown (p=0.02). Conclusions Containment related to the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a modification of the mechanisms of severe TBI in Normandy, which was associated with a decline in the rate of short-term death in intensive unit care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick Rault
- Department of Neurosurgery, Caen University Hospital, Avenue de la Côte de Nacre, 14000, Caen, France.
| | - Laura Terrier
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rouen University Hospital, F-76000, Rouen, France
| | - Arthur Leclerc
- Department of Neurosurgery, Caen University Hospital, Avenue de la Côte de Nacre, 14000, Caen, France
| | - Vianney Gilard
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rouen University Hospital, F-76000, Rouen, France
- Laboratory of Microvascular Endothelium and Neonate Brain Lesions, Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, INSERM U1245, F-76000, Rouen, France
| | - Evelyne Emery
- Department of Neurosurgery, Caen University Hospital, Avenue de la Côte de Nacre, 14000, Caen, France
- PhIND "Physiopathology and Imaging of Neurological Disorders", Institut Blood and Brain @ Caen-Normandie, Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, INSERM, U1237, Cyceron, 14000, Caen, France
- Medical School, Université Caen Normandie, F-14000, Caen, France
| | - Stéphane Derrey
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rouen University Hospital, F-76000, Rouen, France
| | - Anaïs R Briant
- Unité de Biostatistique et Recherche Clinique (UBRC), Caen, France
| | - Clément Gakuba
- PhIND "Physiopathology and Imaging of Neurological Disorders", Institut Blood and Brain @ Caen-Normandie, Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, INSERM, U1237, Cyceron, 14000, Caen, France
- Medical School, Université Caen Normandie, F-14000, Caen, France
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, CHU de Caen, F-14000, Caen, France
| | - Thomas Gaberel
- Department of Neurosurgery, Caen University Hospital, Avenue de la Côte de Nacre, 14000, Caen, France
- PhIND "Physiopathology and Imaging of Neurological Disorders", Institut Blood and Brain @ Caen-Normandie, Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, INSERM, U1237, Cyceron, 14000, Caen, France
- Medical School, Université Caen Normandie, F-14000, Caen, France
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21
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Riuttanen A, Ponkilainen V, Kuitunen I, Reito A, Sirola J, Mattila VM. Severely injured patients do not disappear in a pandemic: Incidence and characteristics of severe injuries during COVID-19 lockdown in Finland. Acta Orthop 2021; 92:249-253. [PMID: 33538233 PMCID: PMC8231355 DOI: 10.1080/17453674.2021.1881241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and purpose - COVID-19 lockdowns have resulted in noteworthy changes in trauma admissions. We report and compare the incidence and characteristics of severe injuries (New Injury Severity Score [NISS] > 15) during the COVID-19 lockdown in Finland with earlier years.Methods - We retrospectively analyzed incidence rate, injury severity scores, injury patterns, and mechanisms of injury of all severely injured patients (NISS >15) in 4 Finnish hospitals (Tampere University Hospital, Kuopio University Hospital, Central Finland Hospital, Mikkeli Central Hospital) during the 11-week lockdown period (March 16-May 31, 2020) with comparison with a matching time period in earlier years (2016-2018). These 4 hospitals have a combined catchment area of 1,150,000 people or roughly one-fifth of the population of Finland.Results - The incidence rate of severe injuries during the lockdown period was 4.9/105 inhabitants (95% CI 3.7-6.4). The incidence rate of severe injuries during years 2016-2018 was 5.1/105 inhabitants (CI 3.9-6.5). We could not detect a significant incidence difference between the lockdown period and the 3 previous years (incidence rate difference -0.2 (CI -2.0 to 1.7). The proportion of traffic-related accidents was 55% during the lockdown period and 51% during previous years. There were no detectable differences in injury patterns. During the lockdown period, the mean age of patients was higher (53 years vs. 47 years, p = 0.03) and the rate of severely injured elderly patients (aged 70 or more) was higher (30% vs. 16%).Interpretation - Despite heavy social restrictions, the incidence of severe injuries during the lockdown period was similar to previous years. Notably, a decline in road use and traffic volumes did not reduce the number of severe traffic accidents. Although our data is compatible with a decrease of 2.0 to an increase of 1.7 severely injured patients per 105 inhabitants, we conclude that severely injured patients do not disappear even during pandemic and stabile hospital resources are needed to treat these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antti Riuttanen
- Department of Orthopedics, Tampere University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology and Tampere University Hospital, Tampere; ,Correspondence:
| | | | - Ilari Kuitunen
- Mikkeli Central Hospital, Mikkeli, University of Eastern Finland, School of Medicine, Kuopio;
| | - Aleksi Reito
- Department of Orthopedics, Tampere University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology and Tampere University Hospital, Tampere;
| | - Joonas Sirola
- Kuopio Musculoskeletal Research Unit (KMRU), University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, University Hospital, Department of Orthopedics, Traumatology and Hand Surgery, Kuopio;
| | - Ville M Mattila
- Department of Orthopedics, Tampere University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology and Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
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22
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Shao B, Tang OY, Leary OP, Abdulrazeq H, Sastry RA, Brown S, Wilson IB, Asaad WF, Gokaslan ZL. Demand for Essential Nonambulatory Neurosurgical Care Decreased While Acuity of Care Increased During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Surge. World Neurosurg 2021; 151:e523-e532. [PMID: 33905912 PMCID: PMC8589108 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2021.04.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background In times of health resource reallocation, capacities must remain able to meet a continued demand for essential, nonambulatory neurosurgical acute care. This study sought to characterize the demand for and provision of neurosurgical acute care during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods This single-center cross-sectional observational analysis compared nonambulatory neurosurgical consult encounters during the peri-surge period (March 9 to May 31, 2020) with those during an analogous period in 2019. Outcomes included consult volume, distribution of problem types, disease severity, and rate of acute operative intervention. Results A total of 1494 neurosurgical consults were analyzed. Amidst the pandemic surge, 583 consults were seen, which was 6.4 standard deviations below the mean among analogous 2016–2019 periods (mean 873; standard deviation 45, P = 0.001). Between 2019 and 2020, the proportion of degenerative spine consults decreased in favor of spinal trauma (25.6% vs. 34% and 51.9% vs. 41.4%, P = 0.088). Among aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage cases, poor-grade (Hunt and Hess grades 4–5) presentations were more common (30% vs. 14.8%, P = 0.086). A greater proportion of pandemic era consults resulted in acute operative management, with an unchanged absolute frequency of acutely operative consults (123/583 [21.1%] vs. 120/911 [13.2%], P < 0.001). Conclusions Neurosurgical consult volume during the pandemic surge hit a 5-year institutional low. Amidst vast reallocation of health care resources, demand for high-acuity nonambulatory neurosurgical care continued and proportionally increased for greater-acuity pathologies. In our continued current pandemic as well as any future situations of mass health resource reallocation, neurosurgical acute care capacities must be preserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda Shao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rhode Island Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
| | - Oliver Y Tang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rhode Island Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Owen P Leary
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rhode Island Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Hael Abdulrazeq
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rhode Island Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Rahul A Sastry
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rhode Island Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Sarah Brown
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rhode Island Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Ira B Wilson
- Department of Health Services, Policy, and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Wael F Asaad
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rhode Island Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Ziya L Gokaslan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Rhode Island Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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23
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Editorial: Recent advances in the management of acute neurological problems in the ICU. Curr Opin Crit Care 2021; 27:77-79. [PMID: 33464003 DOI: 10.1097/mcc.0000000000000808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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24
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Dobran M, Liverotti V, Paracino R, Aiudi D, Fasinella MR, Gladi M, DI Rienzo A, DI Somma LG, Iacoangeli M. Letter to editor regardings: " Mazzatenta D, Zoli M, Cavallo MA, Ferro S, Giombelli E, Pavesi G, Sturiale C, Tosatto L, Zucchelli M. (2020). Remodulation of neurosurgical activities in an Italian region (Emilia-Romagna) under COVID- 19 emergency: maintaining the standard of care during the crisis. J Neurosurg Sci. 2020 Jun 11.". J Neurosurg Sci 2021; 66:272-274. [PMID: 33870670 DOI: 10.23736/s0390-5616.21.05307-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Dobran
- Department of Neurosurgery, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy -
| | - Valentina Liverotti
- Department of Neurosurgery, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy
| | - Riccardo Paracino
- Department of Neurosurgery, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy
| | - Denis Aiudi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy
| | - Maria Rossella Fasinella
- Department of Neurosurgery, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy
| | - Maurizio Gladi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy
| | - Alessandro DI Rienzo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy
| | - Lucia G DI Somma
- Department of Neurosurgery, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy
| | - Maurizo Iacoangeli
- Department of Neurosurgery, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy
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25
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Zhang M, Zhou J, Dirlikov B, Cage T, Lee M, Singh H. Impact on neurosurgical management in Level 1 trauma centers during COVID-19 shelter-in-place restrictions: The Santa Clara County experience. J Clin Neurosci 2021; 88:128-134. [PMID: 33992171 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2021.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Early COVID-19-targeted legislations reduced public activity and elective surgery such that local neurosurgical care greatly focused on emergent needs. This study examines neurosurgical trauma patients' dispositions through two neighboring trauma centers to inform resource allocation. We conducted a retrospective review of the trauma registries for two Level 1 Trauma Centers in Santa Clara County, one academic and one community center, between February 1st and April 15th, 2018-2020. Events before a quarantine, implemented on March 16th, 2020, and events from 2018 to 19 were used for reference. Encounters were characterized by injuries, services, procedures, and disposition. Categorical variables were analyzed by the χ2 test, proportions of variables by z-score test, and non-parametric variables by Fisher's exact test. A total of 1,336 traumas were identified, with 31% from the academic center and 69% from the community center. During the post-policy period, relative to matching periods in years prior, there was a decrease in number of TBI and spinal fractures (24% versus 41%, p < 0.001) and neurosurgical consults (27% versus 39%, p < 0.003), but not in number of neurosurgical admissions or procedures. There were no changes in frequency of neurosurgery consults among total traumas, patients triaged to critical care services, or patients discharged to temporary rehabilitation services. Neurosurgical services were similarly rendered between the academic and community hospitals. This study describes neurosurgical trauma management in a suburban healthcare network immediately following restrictive quarantine during a moderate COVID-19 outbreak. Our data shows that neurosurgery remains a resource-intensive subspeciality, even during restrictive periods when overall trauma volume is decreased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA
| | - James Zhou
- California Northstate University College of Medicine, 9700 W Taron Drive, Elk Grove, CA 95757, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, 751 S Bascom Ave, San Jose, CA 95128, USA
| | - Ben Dirlikov
- Department of Neurosurgery, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, 751 S Bascom Ave, San Jose, CA 95128, USA
| | - Tene Cage
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, 751 S Bascom Ave, San Jose, CA 95128, USA
| | - Marco Lee
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, 751 S Bascom Ave, San Jose, CA 95128, USA
| | - Harminder Singh
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, 751 S Bascom Ave, San Jose, CA 95128, USA.
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26
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Servadei F, Cannizzaro D. Effects on traumatic brain injured patients of COVID pandemia: which responses from neurosurgical departments? Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2021; 163:1051-1052. [PMID: 33486636 DOI: 10.1007/s00701-021-04724-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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27
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Effects of COVID-19 on the admissions of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: the West Greece experience. Neurol Sci 2021; 42:2167-2172. [PMID: 33745041 PMCID: PMC7981384 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-021-05190-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Background Acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to aneurysmal rupture is a devastating vascular disease accounting for 5% of strokes. COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a decrease in elective and emergency admissions in the majority of neurosurgical centers. The main hypothesis was that fear of COVID-19 may have prevented patients with critical medical or surgical emergencies from actively presenting in emergency departments and outpatient clinics. Methods We conducted a single-center, retrospective, observational study searching our institutional data regarding the incidence of spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and compare the admissions in two different periods: the pre COVID-19 with the COVID-19 period. Results The study cohort was comprised of a total of 99 patients. The mean (SD) weekly case rate of patients with SAH was 1.1 (1.1) during the pre-COVID-19 period, compared to 1.7 (1.4) during the COVID-19 period. Analysis revealed that the volume of admitted patients with SAH was 1.5-fold higher during the COVID period compared to the pre-COVID period and this was statistically significant (ExpB = 1.5, CI 95% 1–2.3, p = 0.044). Difference in mortality did not reach any statistical significance between the two periods (p = 0.097), as well as patients’ length of stay (p = 0.193). Conclusions The presented data cover a more extended time period than so far published reports; it is reasonable that our recent experience may well be demonstrating a general realistic trend of overall increase in aneurysmal rupture rates during lockdown. Hospitalization of patients with SAH cannot afford any reductions in facilities, equipment, or personnel if optimum outcomes are desirable.
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